Showing posts with label pepper. Show all posts
Showing posts with label pepper. Show all posts
Sunday, May 16, 2010
Kitchen Garden Log: Barrel planters, hens, seedlings
I may hve put the peppers and eggplants out too soon. They are not looking as good as I hoped. We'll see if they perk up.
The 5 hens are producing 4 eggs daily. Someone is shirking. If I could figure out who it is, I would put her on a "Work Improvement Plan". As it is, the others seem to be covering for whoever it is. At least absenteeism is not an issue. They don't have a choice on tht. A good leader will reward them. Today I've been doing homework all day, so could not pull weeds for them, but I did put a watermelon rind through the shredder on the food processor - in seconds, a big batch of tasty morsels.
Potato barrel. My largest concern now is that I planted too many. As always, "we'll see"
Seeds planted 7 days ago, zucchini, squash, and cucumbers. I'm leaving them on the deck in the sun. It's overcast. When one set of leaves is developed, I'll plant them.
Peppers. They are sulking. Probably too cool, but with warmer weather now, maybe they'll start up again. The purple plant is basil. There are some little radish seedlings, I'm not sure how they will do. In the back, seedlings of bunching onions. I'll let them get bigger then pull them.
Kind of a mix now. Purchased eggplants, bigger. The lettudce and mesclun will be done in a week, leaving a lot more room. The heliotrope isn't planted yet, this may not be the right spot. Very fragrant. These onions will be allowed to develop tops, unless Ning pulls them. By tops, I mean these (Egyptian walking onions) develop clusters of baby onions on the top of the stalk, instead of a flower. Those are used to plant the next crop, for indefinite perpetuation of the variety. If these do get pulled, I have others in the borders that will make plenty of new sets.
Labels:
barrel planter,
chickens,
kitchen garden,
multiplier onion,
pepper
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Kitchen Garden: in the Barrels.
Overall I'm very happy with the barrel planters.
Labels:
barrel planter,
kitchen garden,
multiplier onion,
pepper,
radishes
Sunday, April 11, 2010
Kitchen garden. What's ready? What's getting started?
I couldn't be happier with how the barrels turned out this year. After 9 years of trying, I finally know how to grow radishes here! It's about time, they are supposed to be the easiest vegetable to grow!
The mesclun and scallions in the barrels are also growing like gangbusters. Also, spinach and lettuce. This is great!
What else -
First potato barrel with potato plants sticking their noses through the medium.
Scallions, lots of them from starts off from the Egyptian Walking onion. Growing them in the barrels was perfect! I debated keeping them, now glad I did.
Apples blooming - including Golden delicious, which is in its first year of significant blooming. Cool!
Chives too - this is the 5th or 6th batch of garlic chives. Great chopped and scrambled with eggs, too?
In the front yard, those Yellow Potato Onions that I planted in, what, December? are growing nicely to. I didn't kill them after all. Peas are groing, but most didn't germinate.
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Peppers, Tomatoes, and Eggplants
Yesterday I started another wave of seeds. This time:
Pepper, "Big Red hybrid" - medium hot cayenne-type, 70 days"
Eggplant, "Millionairre" - Japanese-type, 55 days
Pepper, "Bulgarian Carrot" (seeds packed for 2008) - hot pepper
Pepper, "Red Popper" - 1 1/2 inch fruits, sweet, 55 days.
Eggplant, "Fairy Tale" - purple striped white fruits, 50 days
Of the seeds that I started last week a few eggplants and peppers have sprouted, and all of the tomatoes sprouted.
Most of the seedlings had just been watered and were still in the sink, but this is the general appearance of the seed starting system now. The foil does seem to make the light brighter directly under the lights. All are growing nicely, some tomatoes have their first true leaves now. Soon, I'll need to plant them individually in slightly larger containers. The towel covers the containers with unsprouted seeds, on the heating mat.
Cayenne peppers in the window sill now, from the original seed-sprouting experiment. I hated to throw them away. I did not really mean to start them for the garden, but here they are. On sunny days, I think the sindow is brighter than the fluorescent fixture, and the light is more "natural", anyway.
Pepper, "Big Red hybrid" - medium hot cayenne-type, 70 days"
Eggplant, "Millionairre" - Japanese-type, 55 days
Pepper, "Bulgarian Carrot" (seeds packed for 2008) - hot pepper
Pepper, "Red Popper" - 1 1/2 inch fruits, sweet, 55 days.
Eggplant, "Fairy Tale" - purple striped white fruits, 50 days
Of the seeds that I started last week a few eggplants and peppers have sprouted, and all of the tomatoes sprouted.
Monday, March 22, 2010
More seeds planted indoors
I planted more seeds in my indoor-starting unit yesterday. This included 2 varieties of eggplant, some additional chili peppers, and a couple of tomatoes. I need to take a photo and list them, this post is so that I have a 'bookmark' on the date
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Tomato and pepper seedlings
I dug out the old fluorescent light fixture and set it up in the window for the seedlings. That way, they get actual (but meager) sunlight, and much more supplemental light. This worked well in the past.
Sunday, February 07, 2010
Pepper seed sprouting experiment.
No need for photos. So far the following have sprouted:
(1) Cayenne pepper 2008 - 4 seeds.
(2) Red delicious pepper 2006 - 2 seeds.
I removed 3 of the Cayenne and the 2 Red Delicious to small containers containing moistened seed starting medium. I don't know if that will work, but there is plenty of time for failures. In fact, this may be way too early.
One Cayenne sprout was rotton-looking. Not promising, so it was discarded.
(1) Cayenne pepper 2008 - 4 seeds.
(2) Red delicious pepper 2006 - 2 seeds.
I removed 3 of the Cayenne and the 2 Red Delicious to small containers containing moistened seed starting medium. I don't know if that will work, but there is plenty of time for failures. In fact, this may be way too early.
One Cayenne sprout was rotton-looking. Not promising, so it was discarded.
Thursday, February 04, 2010
Pie Intermission: Pepper seeds.
The Pepper Seeds continue to incubate. I think one seed sprouted so far - a cayenne.
This method makes it easy to observe the results without opening the bag. However, I did open it briefly to let some air into it.
The thermometer reads 86 F. This article describes experiments on pepper seed germination - looks like 30C (about 86F) is about the highest you can go before viability drops off. Not much difference between 20C and 30C (68F and 86F). They didn't test lower, and the next higher temp, 35C (95F), gave a much poorer result. It took 6 to 10 days for 1/2 of the seeds to germinate. Based on this experiment, I don't need to heat them so warm, but the mat doesnt' give much temperature control. On the other hand, in seed starting medium, they will probably be a little cooler, due to medium between the seeds and the mat.
This article recommends 70F to 90F. They also recommend a presoak in dilute vinegar or dilute tea. This article also states the same thing.
There seems to be a whole subculture built around growing chilis. I have this book pretty good discussion of chili types, history, and cultivation.
Ecoseeds.com suggests that peat-based media inhibit either germination or growth of pepper seeds. I don't know how scientific their experiment was, but it's worth keeping in mind. Given that there is signiciant criticism regarding the environmental impact of peat harvesting, there may be some bias - no way for the reader to know.
One little sprout.
Here are the rest of the seeds.
This method makes it easy to observe the results without opening the bag. However, I did open it briefly to let some air into it.
The thermometer reads 86 F. This article describes experiments on pepper seed germination - looks like 30C (about 86F) is about the highest you can go before viability drops off. Not much difference between 20C and 30C (68F and 86F). They didn't test lower, and the next higher temp, 35C (95F), gave a much poorer result. It took 6 to 10 days for 1/2 of the seeds to germinate. Based on this experiment, I don't need to heat them so warm, but the mat doesnt' give much temperature control. On the other hand, in seed starting medium, they will probably be a little cooler, due to medium between the seeds and the mat.
This article recommends 70F to 90F. They also recommend a presoak in dilute vinegar or dilute tea. This article also states the same thing.
There seems to be a whole subculture built around growing chilis. I have this book pretty good discussion of chili types, history, and cultivation.
Ecoseeds.com suggests that peat-based media inhibit either germination or growth of pepper seeds. I don't know how scientific their experiment was, but it's worth keeping in mind. Given that there is signiciant criticism regarding the environmental impact of peat harvesting, there may be some bias - no way for the reader to know.
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Seed starting test #2. Mostly pepper seeds.
I decided to get out more old pepper seeds and see if they will start. Each square contains 10 seeds. Varieties are:
Aji Pepper 04
Cayeene Pepper 08
Portugal Pepper 08
Doe Hill Pepper 04
Alma Paprika Pepper 06
Red Delicious Pepper 06
Thumbelina Carrot (not pepper) 06
Louisiana Hot Pepper 04
I made the following changes in the method:
(1) The paper towel sits on a plastic sheet, cut from a thick plastic bag. That made it easier to handle when wet.
(2) I placed a layer of kitchen towel between the heating mat and the seed bag. This was because I was concerned the mat is too warm.
(3) I moistened the paper towels with a solution of 1/4 tsp miracle grow in 1 gallon of water.
Depending on what happens, if the pepper seeds germinate, I may try to keep a few as early starts. It's a bit too early for that, I think, but we'll see.
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Seed Germination Experiment: 14 days & Conclusion
I wondered, just how warm is the heating mat. I placed a thermometer between the mat and the thin kitchen towel that covered it, left the thermometer in place overnight. A toasty 86F degrees. Wow!
I had unplugged the mat and forgotten it for 2 days, which may affect the results.
The additional seeds that sprouted were" Cherokee Purple tomato, all. Lemon Boy, all. Tabasco pepper, 2 more. Spinach, all.
Final results, including sprouted seeds that I removed to make the new ones countable:
![](//3.bp.blogspot.com/__i_r1swHge8/S1yun3AVptI/AAAAAAAADPo/2J0NbA4FVD4/s320/seeds0.JPG)
![](//4.bp.blogspot.com/__i_r1swHge8/S1yuoV20InI/AAAAAAAADPw/vj2M73x-lnM/s320/seeds1.JPG)
Chinese Parsley 2005 0/10
Gambo Pepper 2004 0/10
Cherokee Purple Tom. 2009 10/10
Lemon Boy Tomato 2007 10/10
Lemon Boy Tomato 2006 10/10
Tabasco Pepper 2006 2/10
Tabasco Pepper unknown 0/10
Bulgarian Carrot Pep. 2008 10/10
Supersweet 100 Tom. 2007 10/10
![](//3.bp.blogspot.com/__i_r1swHge8/S1yuovFafJI/AAAAAAAADP4/93hn6UgodZw/s320/seeds2.JPG)
Roma II Bush Bean 2008 10/10
Goldn Wax Bush Bean 2008 9/10
Scallop Bush Squash 2008 9/10
Roma Bush Bean 2009 10/10
Icicle Radish 2008 pkt 1 10/10
Icicle Radish 2008 pkt 2 10/10
Golden Nugget Tom. 2009 10/10
Spinach Savoy 2009 10/10
Black Krim Tomato 2008 10/10
Better Boy Tomato 2006 1/10
I had unplugged the mat and forgotten it for 2 days, which may affect the results.
The additional seeds that sprouted were" Cherokee Purple tomato, all. Lemon Boy, all. Tabasco pepper, 2 more. Spinach, all.
Final results, including sprouted seeds that I removed to make the new ones countable:
Chinese Parsley 2005 0/10
Gambo Pepper 2004 0/10
Cherokee Purple Tom. 2009 10/10
Lemon Boy Tomato 2007 10/10
Lemon Boy Tomato 2006 10/10
Tabasco Pepper 2006 2/10
Tabasco Pepper unknown 0/10
Bulgarian Carrot Pep. 2008 10/10
Supersweet 100 Tom. 2007 10/10
Roma II Bush Bean 2008 10/10
Goldn Wax Bush Bean 2008 9/10
Scallop Bush Squash 2008 9/10
Roma Bush Bean 2009 10/10
Icicle Radish 2008 pkt 1 10/10
Icicle Radish 2008 pkt 2 10/10
Golden Nugget Tom. 2009 10/10
Spinach Savoy 2009 10/10
Black Krim Tomato 2008 10/10
Better Boy Tomato 2006 1/10
Saturday, January 16, 2010
Seed Germination Experiment: 7 days
Gambo Pepper 2004 0/10
Cherokee Purple Tom. 2009 8/10
Lemon Boy Tomato 2007 7/10
Lemon Boy Tomato 2006 10/10
Tabasco Pepper 2006 0/10
Tabasco Pepper unknown 0/10
Bulgarian Carrot Pep. 2008 0/10
Supersweet 100 Tom. 2007 6/10
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Seed Germination Experiment: 4 days
Now at 4 days. Many seeds have sprouted.
![](//1.bp.blogspot.com/__i_r1swHge8/S0-gq6tYt0I/AAAAAAAADMo/uoJ_ENKGEPU/s320/seeds1.JPG)
Chinese Parsley 2005 0/10
![](//2.bp.blogspot.com/__i_r1swHge8/S0-gqWHnpSI/AAAAAAAADMg/yaqxYK-1Xa8/s320/seeds2.JPG)
Chinese Parsley 2005 0/10
Gambo Pepper 2004 0/10
Cherokee Purple Tom. 2009 8/10
Lemon Boy Tomato 2007 5/10
Lemon Boy Tomato 2006 6/10
Tabasco Pepper 2006 0/10
Tabasco Pepper unknown 0/10
Bulgarian Carrot Pep. 2008 1/10
Supersweet 100 Tom. 2007 0/10
Roma II Bush Bean 2008 7/10
Goldn Wax Bush Bean 2008 8/10
Scallop Bush Squash 2008 7/10
Roma Bush Bean 2009 6/10
Icicle Radish 2008 pkt 1 10/10
Icicle Radish 2008 pkt 2 9/10
Golden Nugget Tom. 2009 2/10
Spinach Savoy 2009 6/10
Black Krim Tomato 2008 1/10
Better Boy Tomato 2006 0/10
If a count dropped - the seed may have fallen out. Plus, on the first count, it was very hard to see sprouts - kind of like a hanging chad.
I forgot to note on the first post - the water that I used contained very dilute orchid food - 1/2 of the strength used for normal daily watering. I don't know if that influenced the results or not.
I removed the larger grown seeds - squash, beans, radishes - to avoid overgrowing. The remainder went back into the bags and back on the warming mat.
4 days. Not bad.
Sunday, January 03, 2010
Seed Catalog Order
Not exactly the same as planned, but it's exciting to look ahead. I ordered from Burpee this year. I liked their user reviews of varieties, accessible right on the variety description. It looks honest - varieties that are labeled as user favorites, and featured prominently, are not necessarily the ones that won the reviews. For example, most thought that Tomato variety "Red Lightening" was tough-skinned and not flavorful. Much less expensive, and much older variety, "Supersweet 100" had a much higher rating for flavor, but complaints about splitting - exactly my experience. "Brandy Boy" was panned by many who grew it - so I changed my mind and went to old reliable "Better Boy", which has that old growing-up-in-the-midwest flavor, is reliable, disease resistant, and bears many big juicy tomatoes. I also added Black Truffle hybrid due to rave reviews, but kept Northen Exposure and 4th of July despite so-so reviews, as an experiment due to early bearing properties and reported tolerance to cold.
Photo Thumbnails from Burpee.com (note - they aren't paying me anything at all to post, or giving me any special deal or product - this is just my garden log. But I hope it's OK to include them in this discussion. Full sized photos can be seen at the Burpee website)
55103A Bush Bean Roma II 53 days - 1 Pkt. (2 oz.) 1 $2.95
83139 Burpee Booster for Beans and Peas - 1-3oz. Pkg (40' row) 1 $8.25
53512A Snap Pea Super Sugar Snap V.P. 64 days - 1 Pkt. (200 seeds) 1 $3.95
52936A Tomato Fourth of July Hybrid 49 days - 1 Pkt. (40 seeds) 1 $3.95
56663A Tomato Northern Exposure Hybrid 67 days - 1 Pkt. (30 Seeds) 1 $3.95
56812A Tomato Cherokee Purple (Heirloom) 85 days - 1 Pkt. (50 seeds) 1 $3.95
52027A Tomato Super Sweet 100 Hybrid (Cherry) 70 days - 1 Pkt. (30 seeds) 1 $2.95
67265A Tomato Black Truffle Hybrid 75 days - 1 packet (30 seeds) 1 $3.95
50724A Tomato Better Boy Hybrid 72 days - 1 Pkt. (30 seeds) 1 $3.95
62120A Tomato Black Pearl Hybrid 65 days - Packet (30 seeds) 1 $5.25
65005A Bush Bean Eureka 55 days - Packet (2 oz.) 1 $3.95
54460A Eggplant Millionaire Hybrid 55 days - 1 Pkt. (30 seeds) 1 $2.95
65025A Eggplant Fairy Tale 50 days - Packet (30 seeds) 1 $5.25
54148A Hot Pepper Big Red Hybrid 70 days - 1 Pkt. (30 seeds) 1 $3.95
63770A Pepper Red Popper 55 days - Packet (40 seeds) 1 $4.75
56020A Costa Rican Sweet Pepper 70 days - Packet (40 seeds) 1 $4.75
57109A Zucchini Sweet Zuke Hybrid 48 days - 1 Pkt. (25 seeds) 1 $3.95
53231A Zucchini Butterstick Hybrid 50 days - 1 Pkt. (25 seeds) 1 $2.95
62810A Cucumber Palace King Hybrid (Oriental) 62 days - 1 Pkt. (30 seeds) 1 $4.95
62802A Cucumber Early Pride Hybrid (Slicing) 55 days - 1 Pkt. (30 seeds) 1 $2.95
91056 Seedling Heat Mats - 1 Mat - 10in.X20-3/4in. 1 $36.75
This seems like a lot of expense, but I take the following into account:
1. It's a hobby.
2. Given the evaluations, and my past experience, I'm confident that most of these are high-potential varieties in my yard. I chose for early yield, reported disease resistance, and either my personal experience of reliability or multiple reviews. With storebought, it's more difficult to do this.
3. For tomatoes, varieties that turn out well - and a few are already proven performers - this is a 3 or 4-year supply of seeds. Some are admittedly experiments - 4th of July due to reported very early yield, Northern Exposure for reported good bearing in cool short summers. I usually experiment with a couple of new types - I love the black varieties, so will try Black Truffle. Cherokee Purple has always done well for me, as have Better Boy, Supersweet 100, and Lemon Boy. I'll see if my old Lemon Boy seeds sprout, if not see if some are locally available, since Burpee doesn't carry them. They should do fine, they are only 1 year old seeds.
4. For the beans, this will be enough for about 20 meals for two. Plus, when the plants quit bearing, they are fed to the chickens and become eggs. Both the Romas and the yellow beans are excellent, better than anything from the store.
5. For the zucchinis and cucumbers, two plants of each variety will be enough for many meals and snacks, plus some to give away, plus some for the chickens.
6. The pepper seeds may also last 4 years or more. I'm not sure about what to expect, but experience tells me they last longer than that.
7. The eggplants are listed as early bearing varieties. In fact, among the earliest. That's needed here, because they start late and bear late.
The seed mat is part of my master plan for peppers, especially, but also tomatoes and some of the others. Warmer start means faster start, and maybe even more seeds will sprout. It should last a long time. One year I used a heating pad - it seemed to help, but not recommended, they are not made for that.
Photo Thumbnails from Burpee.com (note - they aren't paying me anything at all to post, or giving me any special deal or product - this is just my garden log. But I hope it's OK to include them in this discussion. Full sized photos can be seen at the Burpee website)
![](http://3.bp.blogspot.com/__i_r1swHge8/S0EdSOX3S_I/AAAAAAAADIY/6Mvmehh7oDI/s320/beanromaii.gif)
83139 Burpee Booster for Beans and Peas - 1-3oz. Pkg (40' row) 1 $8.25
53512A Snap Pea Super Sugar Snap V.P. 64 days - 1 Pkt. (200 seeds) 1 $3.95
![](http://2.bp.blogspot.com/__i_r1swHge8/S0EdgTjZgZI/AAAAAAAADI4/dGMEMkZAwSY/s320/tomato4th.gif)
56663A Tomato Northern Exposure Hybrid 67 days - 1 Pkt. (30 Seeds) 1 $3.95
56812A Tomato Cherokee Purple (Heirloom) 85 days - 1 Pkt. (50 seeds) 1 $3.95
![](http://3.bp.blogspot.com/__i_r1swHge8/S0EdhOmnQZI/AAAAAAAADJI/bRDTBzhjQfA/s320/tomatosupersweet.gif)
![](http://1.bp.blogspot.com/__i_r1swHge8/S0EdgjXHQ_I/AAAAAAAADJA/N3SqjCqmqjw/s320/tomatoblacktruffle.gif)
50724A Tomato Better Boy Hybrid 72 days - 1 Pkt. (30 seeds) 1 $3.95
62120A Tomato Black Pearl Hybrid 65 days - Packet (30 seeds) 1 $5.25
![](http://4.bp.blogspot.com/__i_r1swHge8/S0EdR4_JoQI/AAAAAAAADIQ/e0BrKKlT-lA/s320/beaneureka.gif)
![](http://3.bp.blogspot.com/__i_r1swHge8/S0ElBFfvJTI/AAAAAAAADJg/wiao_-UOAuw/s320/eggplantmillionairre.gif)
![](http://2.bp.blogspot.com/__i_r1swHge8/S0ElA5QD4lI/AAAAAAAADJY/TDqktBNZ-5c/s320/eggplantfairytale.gif)
![](http://2.bp.blogspot.com/__i_r1swHge8/S0EdSj848DI/AAAAAAAADIg/isB0zv5rZHE/s320/pepperbigred.gif)
![](http://1.bp.blogspot.com/__i_r1swHge8/S0EdTNmxZJI/AAAAAAAADIw/XSo_JSiKSoI/s320/pepperredpopper.gif)
![](http://3.bp.blogspot.com/__i_r1swHge8/S0EdS2NAaUI/AAAAAAAADIo/rqKidboy2Lo/s320/peppercostarica.gif)
![](http://1.bp.blogspot.com/__i_r1swHge8/S0ElBqOnk_I/AAAAAAAADJw/s-TXWzkaoo0/s320/zucchinisweetzuke.gif)
![](http://1.bp.blogspot.com/__i_r1swHge8/S0ElBQ3EW0I/AAAAAAAADJo/79kfvpRIV60/s320/zucchinibutterstick.gif)
![](http://1.bp.blogspot.com/__i_r1swHge8/S0ElAdyIvmI/AAAAAAAADJQ/QV4JTpBZa-U/s320/cucumberpalaceking.jpg)
62802A Cucumber Early Pride Hybrid (Slicing) 55 days - 1 Pkt. (30 seeds) 1 $2.95
91056 Seedling Heat Mats - 1 Mat - 10in.X20-3/4in. 1 $36.75
This seems like a lot of expense, but I take the following into account:
1. It's a hobby.
2. Given the evaluations, and my past experience, I'm confident that most of these are high-potential varieties in my yard. I chose for early yield, reported disease resistance, and either my personal experience of reliability or multiple reviews. With storebought, it's more difficult to do this.
3. For tomatoes, varieties that turn out well - and a few are already proven performers - this is a 3 or 4-year supply of seeds. Some are admittedly experiments - 4th of July due to reported very early yield, Northern Exposure for reported good bearing in cool short summers. I usually experiment with a couple of new types - I love the black varieties, so will try Black Truffle. Cherokee Purple has always done well for me, as have Better Boy, Supersweet 100, and Lemon Boy. I'll see if my old Lemon Boy seeds sprout, if not see if some are locally available, since Burpee doesn't carry them. They should do fine, they are only 1 year old seeds.
4. For the beans, this will be enough for about 20 meals for two. Plus, when the plants quit bearing, they are fed to the chickens and become eggs. Both the Romas and the yellow beans are excellent, better than anything from the store.
5. For the zucchinis and cucumbers, two plants of each variety will be enough for many meals and snacks, plus some to give away, plus some for the chickens.
6. The pepper seeds may also last 4 years or more. I'm not sure about what to expect, but experience tells me they last longer than that.
7. The eggplants are listed as early bearing varieties. In fact, among the earliest. That's needed here, because they start late and bear late.
The seed mat is part of my master plan for peppers, especially, but also tomatoes and some of the others. Warmer start means faster start, and maybe even more seeds will sprout. It should last a long time. One year I used a heating pad - it seemed to help, but not recommended, they are not made for that.
Friday, August 21, 2009
Kitchen Garden Log
Fresh tomatoes, peaches, peppers, and eggplant. I also picked 2-dozen pears yesterday - at the stage where they come loose from the tree when barely nudged.
Last weekend, we picked 1 dozen peaches from Honey Babe. Summer Gold isn't even close to ripe.
We have beans sprouting from last week's planting. Chinese pole beans and Romano.
Friday, July 31, 2009
My recent lack of posts. Garden log
Dueing the past few months, there have been fewer posts on growing greener. Despite that, there have been many readers checking in on the garden.
I've been making multiple trips to the midwest, with 2 very ill parents. The work schedule has been extended as well. This is not complaining - in this economy, just having a job and career is something to be grateful for. But it has meant significant neglect of the backyard garden and the blog.
So here are a few updates. Pictures to follow.
The chickens -
The Americauna pullet turned out to be a rooster. Not allowed in my town. Can't be kept secretly, either - he was announcing his presence early and loudly. SO he was given to a coworker. His fate... "Don't ask / Don't tell".
The Leghorn has grown up and is laying one nice, large, egg daily.
The Australorp pullets are nearly to laying size. They have a definite "hen-like" appearance (although so did the Americauna).
The tomatoes -
2 days ago I picked 3 medium sized Lemon Boy and a big handful of Supersweet 100.
The plants have remained small. Last week I added some organic high-N food to give them a boost.
The figs -
One ripe "Vancouver" breba yesterday. One getting close. Two ripe Petite negri, probably tomorrow. Two Lattarula probably ripe next week - that will be the first from these trees. Not much, but they are loaded with figs for fall crop, so I'm happy to get a preview.
The Peppers -
All are loaded with fruit. Not large yet, but peppers don't need to be ripe to be eaten.
Other Crops -
Roma beans yielded a bowl of beans last night. The summer crop of raspberries is done. With the recent heat, some of the leaves are scorched, but it looks like there will be a big fall crop. I'll post some peach photos - getting closer! Pears weighing down the tree. Lots of cucumbers. Zucchinis once again giving more than we can eat.
Flowers -
These have sufferred neglect, the most. Lillies are blooming, and fragrant. Some are scorched. I'm definitely moving more toward Xeriscaping with more succulents next year - the sedums and sempervivums are surviving like shamps. The night blooming cactus has the most buds, ever. Probably bloom in late august.
I have some photos to upload tonight.
With my Dad on hospice, and my Mom having Alzheimer's, there is a good chance that there will be more deferred maintenance in the yard. Even so, doing the gardening and writing about it give me peace of mind and something to look forward to, so I'll work on posting at least once weekly again. I ordered a large # of bulbs for fall planting, just to have something to look forward to. I have plans to re-engineer a couple of garden beds for better access and improved spacing. This will involve further encroachment into former lawn. No problem. I let the lawn go brown, so at least no mowing now.
I've been making multiple trips to the midwest, with 2 very ill parents. The work schedule has been extended as well. This is not complaining - in this economy, just having a job and career is something to be grateful for. But it has meant significant neglect of the backyard garden and the blog.
So here are a few updates. Pictures to follow.
The chickens -
The Americauna pullet turned out to be a rooster. Not allowed in my town. Can't be kept secretly, either - he was announcing his presence early and loudly. SO he was given to a coworker. His fate... "Don't ask / Don't tell".
The Leghorn has grown up and is laying one nice, large, egg daily.
The Australorp pullets are nearly to laying size. They have a definite "hen-like" appearance (although so did the Americauna).
The tomatoes -
2 days ago I picked 3 medium sized Lemon Boy and a big handful of Supersweet 100.
The plants have remained small. Last week I added some organic high-N food to give them a boost.
The figs -
One ripe "Vancouver" breba yesterday. One getting close. Two ripe Petite negri, probably tomorrow. Two Lattarula probably ripe next week - that will be the first from these trees. Not much, but they are loaded with figs for fall crop, so I'm happy to get a preview.
The Peppers -
All are loaded with fruit. Not large yet, but peppers don't need to be ripe to be eaten.
Other Crops -
Roma beans yielded a bowl of beans last night. The summer crop of raspberries is done. With the recent heat, some of the leaves are scorched, but it looks like there will be a big fall crop. I'll post some peach photos - getting closer! Pears weighing down the tree. Lots of cucumbers. Zucchinis once again giving more than we can eat.
Flowers -
These have sufferred neglect, the most. Lillies are blooming, and fragrant. Some are scorched. I'm definitely moving more toward Xeriscaping with more succulents next year - the sedums and sempervivums are surviving like shamps. The night blooming cactus has the most buds, ever. Probably bloom in late august.
I have some photos to upload tonight.
With my Dad on hospice, and my Mom having Alzheimer's, there is a good chance that there will be more deferred maintenance in the yard. Even so, doing the gardening and writing about it give me peace of mind and something to look forward to, so I'll work on posting at least once weekly again. I ordered a large # of bulbs for fall planting, just to have something to look forward to. I have plans to re-engineer a couple of garden beds for better access and improved spacing. This will involve further encroachment into former lawn. No problem. I let the lawn go brown, so at least no mowing now.
Saturday, November 08, 2008
Kitchen Garden Log
In addition to green tomatoes, there were 3 cucumbers.
The apples are all eaten now.
There are a few peppers.
4 figs from little Hardy Chicago.
Not much, but not bad for november.
Last weekend I cleaned up one raised bed and planted it with multiplier onions. This is about the 5th year for these. I covered with raked leaves, to keep the dogs from digging.
The cherries, most of the figs, the apples, and the ginkgos have lost most of their leaves.
I moved some oriental lilies to a bed east of the house.
Raked leaves. Used them for mulch around previously-moved magnolia and on the lilies, as well as the winter onion bed.
Chopped up a few tomato plants, and left them in the compost bin.
The apples are all eaten now.
There are a few peppers.
4 figs from little Hardy Chicago.
Not much, but not bad for november.
Last weekend I cleaned up one raised bed and planted it with multiplier onions. This is about the 5th year for these. I covered with raked leaves, to keep the dogs from digging.
The cherries, most of the figs, the apples, and the ginkgos have lost most of their leaves.
I moved some oriental lilies to a bed east of the house.
Raked leaves. Used them for mulch around previously-moved magnolia and on the lilies, as well as the winter onion bed.
Chopped up a few tomato plants, and left them in the compost bin.
Saturday, September 13, 2008
Today's Catch
In a note, the work hours are not tolerable, at 13 to 15 hours daily. Fortunately, this time of year, all that the garden needs is watering about every 3rd day, and a little puttering each weekend. We'll see next year if the work report is better.
Friday, August 29, 2008
Today's Harvest
Mesclun is full of holes - slugs. Tome fo rsome organic slug bait.
Labels:
beans,
kitchen garden,
pears,
pepper,
tomato
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Kitchen Garden Log
Sunday, August 17, 2008
Kitchen Garden Progress Notes
The veggies contine to produce. Cherry tomatoes came 'on-line' about one week ago with occasional ripe tomatoes, and now with a bowlful every day. LemonBoy has been producing for a week, but the first 4 had significant blossom end rot. I'll need to check on that - I thought it was an issue of calcium content of the soil, so used lots of crushed eggshell in soil prep this year. I hope that subsequent tomatoes are not so affected.
I also planted a new crop of Ning's "ChangChun" climbing beans, adjacent to the current ones that appear to be giving up. We'll see if they produce this fall.
The front row is mesclun, also growing fast.
Labels:
beans,
cucumber,
kitchen garden,
pepper,
tomato,
tomato disease
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